by James hmv London, 24/01/2015Bio"Like the legend of the Phoenix, I've just eaten a whole packet of chocolate HobNobs..."
Editor, hmv.com

hmv.com presents... Albums Of 2015: #24 Mumford & Sons

Every day during January we’re going to be previewing the albums that are going to be hitting the shelves in 2015. Most will definitely come out, some probably will, and some we really hope finally see the light of day (we’re looking at you Adele…). Today we're anticipating the return of Mumford & Sons.

A Little Background…

Despite having name that sounds more like a local hardware store than a stadium-filling, festival-headlining band, Mumford & Sons' first two albums have endeared them to millions, particularly in the U.S. where they have become one of the few British bands to to the Billboard charts with their second album, Babel, repeating the feat here in the UK.

After some heavy touring of their 2012 sophomore effort, the band took a well-deserved rest and while they were doing so rumours began to circulate that they had split up, following a throw-away comment from banjo player Winston Marshall that suggested it was all over. However, fans needn't worry – he has since stated that it was a joke, confirming that there is no break-up in the offing and as of October last year an unnamed source was telling NME that the band were back in the studio beginning work on a third album: “It’s very early days yet, but the sessions have been going well.”

Beyond that there hasn't been much in the way of concrete info and no official comment from the band or their label, although the source did reveal the identity of the producer they are rumoured to be working with. More on that in a minute...

What Will It Sound Like?

Whether or not you're a fan of the Mumfords' jaunty, nu-folk sound, there's no denying it's been a winning formula for the band that has helped them shift millions of albums, so it's difficult to see them moving too far away from that. There have been no releases or leaks as yet though and the boys are keeping tight-lipped, but we'd expect more of the rousing folk anthems that proved so popular in their first two records.

Who's Producing It? Are There Any Big-Name Guests?

Word is that Arctic Monkeys and Haim producer James Ford is helming the sessions, but neither the band nor Ford himself have confirmed this at the time of writing. As for big-name guests? We have no idea at this stage.

Will It Really Come Out This Year? And When?

You would think so if sessions have already begun, but it seems likely that it will be the back end of the year if it does arrive in 2015, especially since there have been rumours of a 2016 tour.